Euroseas Ltd. Reports Results for the Year and Quarter Ended December 31, 2015

ATHENS, GREECE--(Marketwired - Feb 18, 2016) - Euroseas Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESEA), an owner and operator of drybulk and container carrier vessels and provider of seaborne transportation for drybulk and containerized cargoes, announced today its results for the three month period and full year ended December 31, 2015.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Highlights:

Total net revenues of $8.8 million. Net loss of $3.6 million; net loss attributable to common shareholders (after a $0.4 million of dividend on Series B Preferred Shares) of $4.0 million or $0.50 loss per share basic and diluted. Adjusted net loss attributable to common shareholders1 for the period was $3.0 million or $0.36 loss per share basic and diluted.

Adjusted EBITDA1 was 0.1 million.

An average of 13.97 vessels were owned and operated during the fourth quarter of 2015 earning an average time charter equivalent rate of $6,374 per day.

The Company declared its eighth dividend of $0.4 million on its Series B Preferred Shares; the dividend was paid in-kind by issuing additional Series B preferred shares.

Full year 2015 Highlights:

Total net revenues of $37.7 million. Net loss of $13.7 million; net loss attributable to common shareholders (after a $1.6 million of dividend on Series B Preferred Shares) of $15.3 million or $2.39 loss per share basic and diluted. Adjusted net loss attributable to common shareholders1 for the period was $13.9 million or $2.17 loss per share basic and diluted.

Adjusted EBITDA1 was $0.2 million.

An average of 14.74 vessels were owned and operated during the twelve months of 2015 earning an average time charter equivalent rate of $7,570 per day.

1 Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net loss and Adjusted loss per share are not recognized measurements under GAAP. Refer to a subsequent section of the Press Release for the definitions and reconciliation of these measurements to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Aristides Pittas, Chairman and CEO of Euroseas, commented: "Rates in the containership sector and particularly in the feeder size where we operate declined back to their levels of the beginning of last year from the higher levels observed during the second and third quarters. Overall the idle fleet is at higher levels compared to a year ago but it is mostly comprised of larger vessels indicating feeders like our ships are in better position to benefit from increases in demand.

"The drybulk sector is at the worst levels seen over the last thirty years with the BDI breaking its historical low levels. A mix of demand and supply related factors are equally responsible for the low market levels. Looking forward, increased scrapping and increased delays and cancellation of newbuilding orders could provide some foundation for the market to arrest the declines and, perhaps, benefit from demand recovery. We expect, though, a challenging market environment throughout 2016. As our vessels are mainly employed through short term contracts and index linked charters, albeit at below cost levels for the time being, we should be able to make the most from an increase in freight rates when this materializes.

"At the same time, we are in the process of completing arrangements for taking delivery of the first of our newbuilding vessels and making similar arrangements for the remaining two deliveries we have in 2016 around the middle of the year. Furthermore, the extremely low vessel values in the drybulk market could present opportunities to modernize our fleet for minimal incremental investment and we are evaluating alternatives to exploit such possibilities should they become available to us."

Tasos Aslidis, Chief Financial Officer of Euroseas, commented: "The operating results of the fourth quarter of 2015 reflect the extremely low level of the drybulk market rates during the quarter and the lower level of containership rates as well as the lower number of vessels we operated due to the sale of 4 ships. On average during the fourth quarter of 2015, our vessels earned on average about 18.5% per day per vessel less than in the fourth quarter of 2014. Adjusted EBITDA during the fourth quarter of 2015 was $0.1 million, approximately $0.1 million lower than EBITDA in the fourth quarter of last year.

"Total daily vessel operating expenses, including management fees, general and administrative expenses, but excluding drydocking costs, decreased approximately 9.7% during the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter of last year, while for the full year 2015 the decrease was approximately 3.9%. Drydocking expenses expressed on a per vessel per day basis were lower by 4.3% for the full year 2015 and lower by 20.7% for the fourth quarter of 2015 as compared to the same periods in 2014, and were a function of the number of vessels undergoing drydocking in the respective periods. As always, we want to emphasize that cost control remains a key component of our strategy, especially at depressed markets like at present."

"As of December 31, 2015, our outstanding debt was $40.5 million versus restricted and unrestricted cash of approximately $19.2 million. We complied with all our debt covenants as of December 31, 2015."

Fourth Quarter 2015 Results:For the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company reported total net revenues of $8.8 million representing a 23.5% decrease over total net revenues of $11.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2014. The Company reported a net loss for the period of $3.6 million and a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $4.0 million, as compared to a net loss of $7.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. On average, 13.97 vessels were owned and operated during the fourth quarter of 2015 earning an average time charter equivalent rate of $6,374 per day compared to 15.00 vessels in the same period of 2014 earning an average time charter equivalent rate of $7,823 per day.

Depreciation expenses for the fourth quarter of 2015 were $2.4 million, compared to the $3.2 million for the same period of 2014. The results for the fourth quarter of 2015 include a $0.19 million net unrealized gain on derivatives, a $0.08 million net realized loss on derivatives and a $1.2 million combined gain on sale of vessels and impairment loss as compared to $0.05 million net unrealized gain on derivatives, a $3.5 million impairment loss on a vessel and a $0.08 million net realized loss on derivatives for the same period of 2014.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $0.1 million, about $0.1 million lower compared to the same of the fourth quarter of 2014. Please see below for Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation to net loss and cash flow provided by operating activities.

Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to common shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $0.5 calculated on 8,093,610 basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding, compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $1.28 for the fourth quarter of 2014, calculated on 5,721,925 basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding.

Excluding the effect on the loss attributable to common shareholders for the quarter, of the unrealized gain on derivatives, the realized loss on derivatives in the fourth quarter of 2015 and the gain on sale of vessels and impairment loss, the adjusted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 would have been $0.36 per share basic and diluted compared to net loss of $0.67 per share basic and diluted for the quarter ended December 31, 2014. Usually, security analysts do not include the above items in their published estimates of earnings per share.

Full Year 2015 Results:For the full year of 2015, the Company reported total net revenues of $37.7 million representing a 7.3% decrease over total net revenues of $40.6 million during the twelve months of 2014. The Company reported a net loss for the period of $13.7 million, net loss attributable to common shareholders of $15.3 million, as compared to a net loss of $17.9 million for the twelve months of 2014. On average, 14.74 vessels were owned and operated during 2015 earning an average time charter equivalent rate of $7,570 per day compared to 14.60 vessels in the same period of 2014 earning on average $7,534 per day.

Depreciation expenses for 2015 were $11.0 million compared to $12.1 million during the same period of 2014. The results for the twelve months of 2015 include a $0.05 million unrealized gain on derivatives, a $0.3 million realized loss on derivatives and a $1.2 million combine gain on sale of vessels and impairment loss, as compared to a $0.7 million unrealized gain on derivatives, a $0.8 million realized loss on derivatives, and a $3.5 million impairment loss on a vessel for the same period of 2014.

Adjusted EBITDA for 2015 was $0.2 million increasing from the $(0.5) million achieved during the twelve months of 2014. Please see below for Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation to net loss and cash flow provided by operating activities.

Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to common shareholders for 2015 was $2.39 calculated on 6,410,794 basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding, compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $3.53 for 2014, calculated on 5,479,418 basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding.

Excluding the effect, on the loss attributable to common shareholders of the unrealized gain on derivatives, realized loss on derivatives and the gain on sale of vessels and impairment loss, the adjusted net loss per share attributable to common shareholders for 2015 would have been $2.17 compared to a loss of $2.88 per share basic and diluted for 2014. Usually, security analysts do not include the above items in their published estimates of earnings per share.

Fleet Profile: The Euroseas Ltd. fleet profile, as of February the 13th is as follows:

(1) Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted the Company's fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of calendar days each vessel was a part of the Company's fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period.

(2) Calendar days. We define calendar days as the total number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession including off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys or days of vessels in lay-up. Calendar days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during that period.

(3) The scheduled off-hire days including vessels laid-up are days associated with scheduled repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys or days of vessels in lay-up.

(4) Available days. We define available days as the total number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession net of scheduled off-hire days. We use available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels were available to generate revenues.

(5) Commercial off-hire days. We define commercial off-hire days as days waiting to find employment.

(6) Operational off-hire days. We define operational off-hire days as days associated with unscheduled repairs or other off-hire time related to the operation of the vessels.

(7) Voyage days. We define voyage days as the total number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession net of commercial and operational off-hire days. We use voyage days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.

(8) Fleet utilization. We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our voyage days during a period by the number of our available days during that period. We use fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons such as unscheduled repairs or days waiting to find employment.

(9) Fleet utilization, commercial. We calculate commercial fleet utilization by dividing our available days net of commercial off-hire days during a period by our available days during that period.

(10) Fleet utilization, operational. We calculate operational fleet utilization by dividing our available days net of operational off-hire days during a period by our available days during that period.

(11) Time charter equivalent, or TCE, is a measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel on a per voyage basis. Our method of calculating TCE is determined by dividing revenue generated from voyage charters net of voyage expenses by voyage days for the relevant time period. Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage, which would otherwise be paid by the charterer under a time charter contract. TCE is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company's performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot voyage charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods.

(13) Daily general and administrative expense is calculated by dividing general and administrative expense by fleet calendar days for the relevant time period.

(14) Total vessel operating expenses, or TVOE, is a measure of our total expenses associated with operating our vessels. TVOE is the sum of vessel operating expenses excluding drydocking expenses and general and administrative expenses. Daily TVOE is calculated by dividing TVOE by fleet calendar days for the relevant time period.

(15) Drydocking expenses, which include expenses during drydockings that would have been capitalized and amortized under the deferral method divided by the fleet calendar days for the relevant period. Drydocking expenses could vary substantially from period to period depending on how many vessels underwent drydocking during the period.

Conference Call and Webcast: Today, Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. EST, the Company's management will host a conference call to discuss the results.

Conference Call details: Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1 (866) 819-7111 (from the US), 0(800) 953-0329 (from the UK) or (+44) (0) 1452 542 301 (from outside the US). Please quote "Euroseas."

A replay of the conference call will be available until Thursday, February 25, 2016. The United States replay number is 1(866) 247-4222; from the UK 0(800) 953-1533; the standard international replay number is (+44) (0) 1452 550 000 and the access code required for the replay is: 6973591#.

Audio Webcast - Slides Presentation: There will be a live and then archived audio webcast of the conference call, via the internet through the Euroseas website (www.euroseas.gr). Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

The slide presentation on the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015, will also be available in PDF format 10 minutes prior to the conference call and webcast, accessible on the company's website (www.euroseas.gr) on the webcast page. Participants to the webcast can download the PDF presentation.

Euroseas Ltd. considers Adjusted EBITDA to represent net earnings / (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, gain / loss in derivatives, gain / loss on sale of vessels and impairment loss. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to net income / (loss) or cash flow from operations, as determined by United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, and the Company's calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is included herein because it is a basis upon which the Company assesses its financial performance and liquidity position and because the Company believes that it presents useful information to investors regarding a company's ability to service and/or incur indebtedness. The Company's definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be the same as that used by other companies in the shipping or other industries.

Euroseas Ltd. considers Adjusted net loss to represent net loss before gain / loss on derivatives, loss / gain on sale of vessels and impairment loss. Adjusted net loss and Adjusted net loss per share is included herein because we believe it assists our management and investors by increasing the comparability of the Company's fundamental performance from period to period by excluding the potentially disparate effects between periods of gain / loss on derivatives, loss / gain on sale of vessels and impairment loss, which items may significantly affect results of operations between periods.

Adjusted Net loss and Adjusted net loss per share do not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to net loss or loss per share, as determined by U.S. GAAP. The Company's definition of Adjusted net loss and Adjusted net loss per share may not be the same as that used by other companies in the shipping or other industries.

About Euroseas Ltd,
Euroseas Ltd. was formed on May 5, 2005 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to consolidate the ship owning interests of the Pittas family of Athens, Greece, which has been in the shipping business over the past 136 years. Euroseas trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker ESEA since January 31, 2007.

Euroseas operates in the dry cargo, drybulk and container shipping markets. Euroseas' operations are managed by Eurobulk Ltd., an ISO 9001:2008 certified affiliated ship management company which is responsible for the day-to-day commercial and technical management and operations of the vessels. Euroseas employs its vessels on spot and period charters and through pool arrangements.

The Company has a fleet of 11 vessels, including 3 Panamax drybulk carriers and 1 Handymax drybulk carrier, 2 Intermediate containership, 3 Handysize containerships, 2 Feeder containerships. Euroseas' 4 drybulk carriers have a total cargo capacity of 269,272 dwt, its 7 containerships have a cargo capacity of 11,828 teu. The Company has also signed contracts for the construction of two Ultramax (63,500 dwt) fuel efficient drybulk carriers and two Kamsarmax (82,000 dwt) fuel efficient drybulk carriers. Including the four new-buildings, the total cargo capacity of the Company's drybulk vessels will be 560,272 dwt.

Forward Looking StatementThis press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and the Company's growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy; including expected vessel acquisitions and entering into further time charters. Words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "hopes," "estimates," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to changes in the demand for dry bulk vessels and container ships, competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates; risks associated with operations outside the United States; and other factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.